FYBA is excited to announce a new division in our Little League Baseball Charter this Fall, the “Challenger League”! The Challenger League is a separate division of Little League that enables school-aged boys and girls with physical and mental challenges the opportunity to enjoy the great game of baseball amongst their peers. Players on FYBA Challenger teams will be given hats and t-shirts and will play on FYBA fields at Mulberry Park with regular baseball gear and safety equipment. FYBA is proud to offer the Challenger League free of charge to special needs children within the FISD boundaries. An added benefit to having a Challenger Division is that it encourages the use of “buddies” for Challenger players. The buddies, generally older FYBA players, will assist Challenger players on the field, but whenever possible, they will encourage the players to bat and make plays themselves. The Challenger League will, no doubt, be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

FYBA needs your help in spreading the good news! If you have a special needs child, or know a special needs child within the FISD boundaries, who would like the opportunity to “play baseball”, please contact Cheryl Mason (FYBA PR Director) via email: fybaprdirector@gmail.com. Fall Baseball signups for both FYBA Recreational League and the Challenger League and will be held at Forney Community Park in the Mick Spellman Jr. Park Building, 241 S. FM 548 on the following dates: Sat 7/23 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm), Sat 7/30 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm) and Sat 8/6 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm). We are also looking for volunteers to serve as coaches and assistant coaches for our Challenger teams, and sponsors to help us get the Challenger League up and running. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Mason at the email address listed above.